Is Anyone Surprised—Seattle Suffers a ‘Staffing Crisis,’ Police Department May Lose Another 190 Officers

Is it a surprise to anyone, cops are quitting? My only surprise is why it took so damn long? I know cops for whom law enforcement is their calling. For them it’s a career not a job. Before going through an academy they went to school. Most have Bachelors Degrees. Some have Masters Degrees. And a few with Law Degrees who see taking a job as a cop as a good first step out of law school. Craziness indeed, but they’re ate up and dedicated. But many are seeking jobs in smaller white towns. They know better than to go to the inflamed cities.

The past few years have seen law enforcement as swine, referenced as racist murderers, and chanted about in a death-wish kind of way.

Even toilet paper has turned against the police:

Forces are diminishing, recruits are reducing in number, and dedicated young men and women are choosing other professions. And in Seattle, they’re feeling the shrinkage. In fact, last year, more than 180 officers hung up their hats. And this year hasn’t gotten off to a better start.

To quote the police department, it’s losing employees “at a record pace.”

As relayed by The Associated Press, on Tuesday, Police Chief Adrian Diaz laid bare the disastrous state of enrollment.

Since January, 66 cops have blown the joint — an average of about 16 [per month]. If that continues, Seattle will lose 192 by New Year’s.

Chief Adrian called it a “staffing crisis.”

As told to KING-TV:

“We are at record lows in the city right now. I have about 1,080 deployable officers. This is the lowest I’ve seen our department.”

NBC5 notes the departures have occurred in various ways:

Some of the latest departing officers retired early, while others left for policing jobs in different cities or positions in the private sector, according to exit interviews.

Per the outlet, those conversations reveal as prominent reasons the city council and the city’s broadly anti-police climate.

As for the council, it’s eyeing a cut of $2.8 million to the force’s budget.

Around $800,000 of that would go to other departments supportive of SPD.

The $2.8 comes on top of other slashes amid last year’s riots.

Mayor Jenny Durkan confirmed the problem:

“Despite an increased focus on recruitment and retention, the Seattle Police Department continues to lose sworn officers at a record pace due to ongoing budget uncertainty.”

Via statement, she opposed more cuts:

Based on exit interviews, we know the Council’s threats of continued layoffs or cuts are having a direct impact on decisions to leave the department. Mayor Durkan continues to caution City Council against making additional one-time cuts without addressing hiring and retention of officers, especially diverse officers, to respond to the highest priority calls.

Meanwhile, councilmember Lisa Herbold said the group’s funded in full SPD’s 2021 plan to hire 114 new officers. Will 114 be available? Good luck.

Seattle isn’t the only one seeing ranks depleted.

Earlier this week, Louisville, Kentucky’s police union announced it’s in “dire straits” after roughly 190 officers have left their positions since last year.

Back to Seattle, the anti-cop attitude appears far-reaching. Earlier this week, it was reported cops have been turned away at chocolate shops.

What say you Def-Con News Readers? Is this a democrat conspiracy? If so, no wonder the problem is growing. They are notorious for not thinking things through–cause and effect. The democrats start something for one reason, but the issue always snowballs, then they are unable to see how their lack of planning brought about unintended consequences.

This is not a good time to be a cop, particularly in a big city or anywhere law enforcement is unappreciated. And, I believe, this is only the start. My advice: Move away from the ‘madding crowd’ and into a Red state. If this is not possible or practical for you, devise a contingency plan, an escape plan, and work in concert with your neighbors to protect yourself, your families, and your homes.